There are places where being who you are is a punishable offense. There are places where you might be sentenced to death because you chose to live. These places have many names. But the ones who flee, have one. Refugee.
Help Us Help Them
About UsLexRAP is a group of concerned people from Lexington and surrounding communities calling itself the Lexington Refugee Assistance Program or “LexRAP.” Our focus is to make Lexington a welcoming place for refugees and to help them directly.
Mission
LexRAP is a Lexington-based 501C non-profit organization helping refugees to settle in the United States and to become productive and well-adjusted members of the community. The mission of LexRAP is to support and to assist refugees and asylum seekers into American society. This assistance includes a support network for housing, food, clothing, transportation, health care, education (especially English), employment, legal aid, and socialization. Beneficiaries of this assistance must have received (or be legally seeking) permission to live in the U.S., either temporarily or permanently.
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Hand in Hand Cafe
Last Spring First Parish Lexington and LexRAP launched the Hand in Hand Cafe, where local refugee women will cook dinners for paying guests. The women will prepare the meal together and eat with the guests and enjoy conversation. One of the goals of these dinners is to build community and understanding. Equally important is to provide a chance for the women to learn job skills related to the food industry.
Upcoming Dinners (6-8PM) Feb 1 is almost sold out! Ticket and waitlist HERE. ----- Mar 7 Apr 4 June 13 Ticket HERE. |
DonateTax-exempt donations support LexRAP
initiatives. Online donations will be processed by PayPal. Sustaining Monthly Donation
One time Donation
By Check
Please mail checks made out to "LexRAP" to:
LexRAP PO Box 244 Lexington, MA 02420 Email Don Detweiler with any questions you may have about donations. IT TAKES A VILLAGE to raise a Carlisle Syrian refugee family The First Religious Society’s (FRS)Union Hall was full to capacity Saturday night as it hosted a delicious Syrian-themed dinner to benefit the Alloh family, Syrian refugees who relocated to Carlisle in 2017. This event had been well anticipated by the FRS community for weeks—with many adults and children planning, organizing and preparing. Even the Religious Education program’s children and teen-aged youth had been active baking cookies and making hand-painted bowls to be given as gifts to guests. ... more |
How do refugees get to the U.S and what is LexRAP doing to help with their resettlement?
Current Focus |
LexRAP currently focuses on 3 areas: Hosting Asylum Seekers, Hosting Unaccompanied Minors, and Assisting Refugees who, for any number of reasons, are having difficulties navigating the challenging terrain of adapting to life in the US.
While some may be able to make the bigger commitment of hosting, other volunteers are ready and willing to support their efforts. In addition, we keep a list of agencies working with refuges and asylum seekers – many of these agencies will welcome volunteer help. |
Join Us |
We are currently seeking volunteers to assist in any way possible, with either major or modest time commitments. All assistance is welcome. Click here to find out how you can help .
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Stay informed |
Join our email list to stay up to date on current LexRAP events and needs.
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Who We Are |
Officers Marianne Boswell, President & Founder Don Detweiler, Vice President Ingrid Klimoff, Secretary Omar Khudari, Treasurer Board Thomas Tsaros Laura Tandara Pat Moyer Elizabeth Ellen Marianne Boswell Don Detweiler Ingrid Klimoff Naomi Rosenthal |
